Zaman, Turkey
Jan 23 2005

Ankara Seeks Solutions for EU Demands
By Suleyman Kurt
Published: Sunday 23, 2005
zaman.com

As Turkey prepares to begin negotiations with the European Union
(EU), concerns about the possibility that issues like opening the
Armenian border, recognizing Alevis and Kurds as minorities will be
raised. All three issues were included in Turkey’s report which was
approved by the European Parliament (EP) for inclusion in the
Accession Partnership Document.

Ankara is concerned that a series of negative issues opposed by
Turkey may end up in the three documents that will be prepared
between now and October 3rd when full membership negotiations
officially begin with the EU. During meetings with the European
Commission on the negotiations, Ankara expects to face a series of
demands born of the Accession Partnership Document, the Framework
Text, and the Cultural Dialogue documents including recognition of
Cyprus, opening of the Armenian border, and recognition of Alevis and
Kurds as “minorities.” A Turkish diplomat said Ankara does not want
these issues mentioned in the documents and is committed to taking
whatever measures are necessary to solve the problem.

Ankara highlights the necessity of preparing a new Accession
Partnership Document (APD) that differs from the former APD’s and the
change in status brought about by the December 17th summit decision
to begin full membership negotiations. Under these circumstances,
Brussels was told that the opinions expressed in the APD should not
include any new additions, but it seems obvious that a series of new
demands will be listed in the APD drafts and that, thus, a hard
bargaining process will take place between Ankara and Brussels.

According to reports, the statements included in the “Turkey report”
that was accepted by the European Parliament (EP) on December 15,
2004 will also be included in the APD. The final resolution released
at the December 17th summit in Brussels stated that the EU Council
noted the decision made by the EP on December 15, 2004. As the
Parliament asked for an immediate start to full membership
negotiations with Turkey, it also made some demands that did not
please Ankara. Specifically, the opening of the religious school in
Heybeliada and recognition of the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA)
as the nation of ‘Cyprus’ which represents the whole island will also
be included in the APD. The EP, furthermore, pointed out the
following points in the Turkey report: “Negotiations should be
suspended by the EU Commission when necessary. Turkey should solve
its problems with its neighbors in line with the United Nations (UN)
convention. Restrictions on ships with Greek Cypriot banderol should
be abandoned. Alevism should be recognized and preserved. Alevi
houses of worship, also known as Cemevis, should be recognized as
religious centers. Religious education should be voluntary. The
informal system of guardsmanship in southeastern Anatolia should be
abolished. Turkey should open its borders with Armenia and both
countries’ governments should support a mutual peace process.” It is
expected that the EU, which defines Kurds and Alevis as ‘minorities,’
will repeat this in the APD.